McNair Program Associate

McNair Program Associate

The McNair Program Associate is responsible for helping with the development, implementation, and coordination of a graduate school preparation and undergraduate research program that adheres to the goals and objectives of the McNair Program and the federal grant. The Program Associate will work with program staff, faculty, graduate students, and others throughout the campus community to assist in offering assistance to McNair Scholars with undergraduate research projects, the graduate school application process, and academic preparation.

Duty/Responsibility
- Financial Monitoring and Reconciliation for the grant. Monitor and reconcile program financial activity, including tracking expenditures, verifying budget balances, and ensuring alignment between internal program records and Business Office accounting. Review and reconcile P‑Card transactions, confirm appropriate categorization of charges, and follow up on discrepancies or billing issues. Coordinate with the Business Office to resolve questions related to invoicing, account coding, and grant‑related financial requirements.

Maintain accurate financial documentation to support compliance with federal grant guidelines and institutional policies.

Serve as an initial point of contact for students, campus partners, and others seeking information or support related to the McNair Scholars Program. Support the coordination and monitoring of program goals, activities, and services in collaboration with McNair staff. Assist with daily planning related to graduate school preparation and undergraduate research. Assist with outreach efforts to increase program visibility across campus and among faculty and staff.

Help identify student needs connected to academic progress, research engagement, and graduate school readiness. Work with leadership to connect students to on‑campus and off‑campus opportunities. Maintain program resources for students, including materials related to research presentations, posters, colloquia, graduate school preparation, mentoring, academic advising, funding opportunities, and summer research programs. Provide support in reviewing and editing student materials for graduate applications and research projects.

Assist with the implementation of program activities, seminars, meetings, and events, including recruitment activities and occasional evening/weekend programming. Help facilitate workshops and presentations as needed. Collaborate with the Data Systems/IT Coordinator to help maintain the McNair Scholars website, ensuring information is accurate, accessible, and up to date regarding program details, applications, and academic resources. Support recruitment and outreach efforts by engaging with student groups, campus partners, and academic departments.

Help plan and implement undergraduate research and graduate school preparation initiatives. Assist with the recruitment process for new scholars, including application tracking, demographic and academic data collection, income verification, and preparation of applicant materials. Participate in application review and selection processes as appropriate. Provide logistical support for research presentations, graduate school visits, and related travel or event arrangements. Maintain accurate program records, including academic progress documentation, student data, and financial or programmatic information required by the U.S. Department of Education and Marquette's Educational Opportunity Program.

Assist with preparing materials for annual reports and compliance documentation. Gather relevant program information by monitoring campus communications, local and national media, professional publications, and other sources to support program development and student opportunities.

Education/Knowledge
- Bachelor's degree required, with coursework or experience related to first‑generation, low‑income, or underrepresented student support preferred. Familiarity with Department of Education grant regulations. Work experience or background in a TRIO program. Familiarity with undergraduate research programs. Familiarity with graduate program application preparations. Proficiency with university computer systems. Ability to communicate clearly with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners. Ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain records, and meet deadlines.

Experience working with student populations, including first‑generation and underrepresented students. Ability to handle scheduling, documentation, data entry, and program logistics. Ability to maintain confidentiality, follow federal guidelines, and represent the program positively.

Type of experience needed
- Experience working with college students in an academic, advising, mentoring, or support-focused setting. Amount of experience needed (months/years) - More than 2 years.